In Episode 220 of the Lawyer Stories podcast, host Benny Gold welcomes Michael Kopsick, the founding partner at The Law Offices of Michael W. Kopsick, a firm focusing on personal injury cases in the bustling Chicagoland area. Kopsick, a self-proclaimed “aggressive and passionate litigator,” shares his journey into the legal profession, the influences that shaped his approach, and his insights into the world of personal injury law.

Growing up in the northern Chicago suburb of Lake Bluff, Kopsick always felt a connection to the city, considering it his true home after returning from his undergraduate studies at Clemson University and attending law school at John Marshall Law School (now University of Illinois Chicago School of Law). Despite initially wanting to carve his path with a business degree, his father’s influence, also an attorney, was undeniable. Shadowing his father in mediations and trials from a young age, Kopsick recognized his skill set for advocacy was similar to his father’s. He humorously admits to always wanting to “defy” his father but acknowledges that the early exposure laid the foundation for his legal career.

Theatrical Background: A Secret Weapon in the Courtroom

Kopsick believes his background in theater and public speaking has significantly contributed to his abilities as a litigator. He sees trials and courtroom arguments as performances, emphasizing the importance of believing in one’s message to effectively persuade others.

“You’re performing in a court, whether you’re delivering a message or an argument, you’re still performing and trying to have people buy into you and sell your argument,” Kopsick says. “Just the simple exercise of being on stage in theater certainly helps.”

This theatrical inclination, coupled with his father’s strong work ethic – a legendary “Iron Butt” commitment to the office – instilled in him the dedication required for the demanding legal field. Even now, sharing office space with his father, they maintain a supportive and slightly competitive relationship, pushing each other to excel.

The Road to Personal Injury Law

Reflecting on his law school experience at John Marshall, Kopsick describes its reputation as a “practice-ready” institution focused on producing trial-ready lawyers. While not aiming for a perfect GPA, his primary goal was to graduate, pass the bar, and enter the courtroom as quickly as possible.

Originally interested in criminal law, internships at both the State’s Attorney’s Office and the Public Defender’s Office ultimately turned him off from that world. “It seemed like litigation was just plea-centric rather than going to trial and fighting for your clients. And that was not very reassuring to me.” However, his experience exposed him to a high-volume system that felt like a “mill” and ultimately wasn’t the right fit.

The transition to personal injury law wasn’t a difficult pivot for Kopsick, as his initial focus was simply on being in court and involved in litigation. He found his niche in advocating for individuals in his home area, a role in which he takes immense pride. Kopsick works on a wide variety of personal injury cases, including work injuries, construction accidents, medical malpractice, and car accidents.

A Client-First Approach

He aims to “right all the wrongs” he’s observed from larger firms, emphasizing empathy, direct client interaction, and a genuine understanding of their experiences. He contrasts this with firms where attorneys may not handle their cases directly. “It’s so easy to be lost in the shuffle as a client,” he says. “We [personal injury lawyers] have the worst reputation and stereotypes in the legal world with billboards, ambulances, what have you and my goal has always been to humanize the client and not make them just another case.”

The Competitive Edge: What Makes a Great Personal Injury Attorney?

When asked about the characteristics of a good personal injury attorney, Kopsick immediately highlights competitiveness. He admits his desire to win every case is both his greatest asset and potential worst flaw. “Winning a trial is one thing, but it’s really those small wins that drive the success of your case and the successful relationship you have with the client.”

Running His Own Firm: Lessons and Challenges

He contrasts the current legal landscape with what he perceives as a more adversarial “knuckles in the mud” style of litigation from decades past, noting that while Chicago can still be fiercely competitive, his experience in Lake County shows a slightly more collaborative environment. He recounts an early, humbling courtroom experience with a judge where he nearly faced contempt for simply following his boss’s instructions, underscoring the importance of learning the nuances of legal practice.

Kopsick acknowledges the invaluable training he received at a previous larger firm, which taught him to be a tenacious advocate. While a personal conflict led to his departure, he recognizes the immeasurable impact of that experience. Now running his firm, he values the autonomy to handle cases his way, from pleading complaints to negotiating settlements, without the pressure of potentially misaligned priorities.

Interestingly, Kopsick doesn’t believe his business degree from Clemson directly aided in opening his firm. He emphasizes that the true benefit of being his own boss lies in the professional autonomy to litigate and advocate as he sees fit. “I am not allergic to the fight, not allergic to getting my hands dirty, and frankly, that is probably where I am most successful. I always like to think I have a softer side as well, and some of the best litigators cannot turn that on for better or worse. I like to think I have that well-rounded touch,” he says.

Referrals are a significant source of cases for Kopsick, and he genuinely appreciates these partnerships, stating that referral checks are the “happiest check that I’ll ever write.” Building and maintaining these relationships is a priority for him.

The most challenging aspect of having his own firm, according to Kopsick, is the financial uncertainty, particularly managing the lag time between securing a case and receiving payment. However, with increasing experience, this has become less of a concern. “Money management is truly an art form,” he says.

Looking Ahead: Growth and Mentorship

Looking towards the future, Kopsick envisions growth for his firm, with plans to hire associate attorneys and mentor the next generation of legal professionals. He offers encouraging words for those considering starting their own firm, emphasizing that strong people skills and the ability to connect with others are crucial for success, even more so than traditional academic intelligence. He believes that anyone with the drive and interpersonal abilities can achieve their goals in the legal field.

If you want to learn more about The Law Offices of Michael W. Kopsick please follow them on IG or FB or go to their website, law-mwk.com.

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In Episode 220 of the Lawyer Stories podcast, Michael Kopsick, founder of The Law Offices of Michael W. Kopsick, shares his legal journey to personal injury litigator. With a background in theater and a drive to fight for his clients, Michael humanizes the legal process, ensuring each case gets the personal attention it deserves.

From work injuries to medical malpractice, he’s not afraid to get his hands dirty in the courtroom. Ready to connect with a lawyer who puts clients first? Follow him at @lawofficesofMWK or visit law-mwk.com!

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